Figure 2.

Signaling and physiology of the chromaffin cell. (A) Acetylcholine and PACAP (sympathetic pre-ganglionic) release from splanchnic nerve and stimulus-secretion-synthesis coupling in the chromaffin cell. (B) Mechanistic depiction of enhanced cell-cell interaction and hormone secretion under conditions of stress in the chromaffin cell. There is as yet no direct proof for PACAP or acetylcholine as the principal mediator of what might be termed the “gap junction response.” (C) IFN, TNF, IL-1, and IL-6 effects on cognate receptors on chromaffin cells and cellular sequelae in the chromaffin cell. Splanchnic nerve input affords synergistic as well as antagonistic interactions between cytokines and PACAP under physiological conditions in which both stress and inflammation may play a role. Figure adapted from (9).